Linear Extension
A partial order ≤* on a set X is an extension of another partial order ≤ on X provided that for all elements x and y of X, whenever, it is also the case that x ≤* y. A linear extension is an extension that is also a linear (i.e., total) order. Every partial order can be extended to a total order (order-extension principle).
In computer science, algorithms for finding linear extensions of partial orders (represented as the reachability orders of directed acyclic graphs) are called topological sorting.
Read more about this topic: Partially Ordered Set
Famous quotes containing the word extension:
“We know then the existence and nature of the finite, because we also are finite and have extension. We know the existence of the infinite and are ignorant of its nature, because it has extension like us, but not limits like us. But we know neither the existence nor the nature of God, because he has neither extension nor limits.”
—Blaise Pascal (1623–1662)